AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1277, 11 May 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER STEAMER AT AUCKLAND.) NEW SOUTH WALES. Mr. Buchanan, on the 4th inst., proposed resolutions for the discontinuance of state aid for the denominational colleges associated with the Sydney University. Members opposed the motion as inopportune, and it was negatived by a large majority. A boy aged eight years was lost in the Revell district on the 26th April. Relays, each of (30 nien, have constantly sought him since, but unsuccessfully. Couthurd, who, at Tass, gave himself into custody some time ago confessing that he had murdered his wife in England, now retracts, and says that when he made the confession he was under the influence of sunstroke, aggravated by drink. He asserts that he "believes his wife is now living with her father at Bristol, and is willing to remain in gaol till the result of an investigation in England is known. At an anti : Ohinese meeting, held at the Temperance Hall, about 800 persqns were present. A resolution in favor of the ex-: elusion of the Chinese from the Colony was unanimously carried. Mr. Vivian Melville, the newly T elected member for Northumberland, has precipitated proceedings. He denounced the Herald as hostile to the working classes, the JJvening News J),s a tog,dy to men in power. He declared his intention to stonewall day and night in the Assembly when the immigration' vote and Qhinese question come on, Dr. Hector has purchased for his Government a diamond drill capable of boring a minimum of 1500 feet, similar in every respect to one which has bored 2000 feet deep in the vicinity of Sydney. With the accompanying engine, it goes per Te Anau. It tested yesterday, and an experienced hand, recently engaged working a similar drill here, accompanies the machine. The licensing annual meeting on the {fth. Renewal hg4 bpes rpfusefj in almost every instance to notorious hotels, and eight houses in the vicinity of theatres. Before closing proceedings, the Magistrate formally thanked the police for the service rendered in bringing forward evidence, and also passed a resolution approving of the new-Licensing Bill now before the Assetnbly, which the jurisdiction of Benches, arjd §ubsti r tutes a Licensing Board. Messrs. Dalisbury and Co.'3 meat and milk freeing \yorks, Sydney, were seriously damaged by lire. The harness for 70 weighty horses was consumed. Centennial No. 1 Claim, on the Barrington goldfields, has crushed 2 tons of quartz, yielding 190ozs of gold. Th§ price of coal at all tlie collieries nqw working, vi 7,., the Lambton, Lanjbton, Waratah, and Is awpastle Co.'s, has been raised to 14s, and hayp a§ many orclers at the prige as they can possibly supply; In Melbourne there is a great demand, and prices have gone up. There is no evidence of the associated miners immediately resuming work, but there is now much probability of their doing so, Th§ Governor, Loftus, visited the woollen mills of Messrs,"Vickers apa Co. , and spent nearly two . hours there, Mr, Yiolcers is a prominent protectionist. The Committee of the Irish Relief Fund has decided to give a. harbor picnic in recognition .of the loyal services of the Hon. Treasurers and Secretaries.. Kfeply sll the sawmills have discharged all hands, and qn the Lower Murray the mills have discharged 100 men owing to lack of orders. It is expected that at the end of the M'epjf th<3re will be qyer BQQ men out of employ; ment at An aboriginal is lying tinder_ sentence

of death, confirmed by the Executive, ' under peculiar circumstances. He was jealous of another black and a girl, and followed with a gun. . Coming where they were sleeping together, he fired at the woman,' Thp bajl glanced round the r;ba and entered the .abdomen of the blaclj fellow. He died, but the girl Complaints are' made that lq,rrikinißm has established a reign of terror in Alex? and the suburbs of Sydney, 'the Municipal (Qounpjl has decided to bring the matter under the attention of tlje

police, but resolved to suppress the names of the Councillors who participated in the decision and of the citizens who gave evidence, believing that their persons and property would otherwise be endangered.

VICTORIA,

A meeting of the Representative Farmers' Union has been held relative to feeding grains. A large proportion of the meeting came prepared to discuss the relation of freetrade and protection, but the Chairman declined to go into that aspect of the; question. Those opposed to the import duties left amid groans. The following day a deputation interviewed the Treasurer, accompanied by Messrs. Longmore, M'Kenn, Gauhson, and other members of the Assembly. Mr. Service said the question lay between farmers and the Cabinet. The import duty was serving the latter and oppressing the former. He denounced the whole artificial system of keeping up high prices. The deputation asked assistance in the wrong direction, and he could not help them. The cabinet has definitely decided not to appoint a fourth judge at present. Measles and diphtheria continue to occur.

An application has been made to the Chief Justice in the case of Wilson and Syme, proprietor of the Age, to compel the defendant to supply particulars relative to the plea of justification. The order was granted on the payment of costs.

The coiners, Sutton and Watson have been sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

A stormy meeting of the Exhibition Commissioners has taken place relative to the terms of the contract for the manufacture of 6000 chairs, prohibiting the employment of ,Chinese. A protracted discussion followed by a division of 43 voted against restriction and 42 in favor of it. The terms of the contract have consequently been since enlarged. The new Commissioners appointed by the present Government favored the enlarging of the terms of the contract.

An important deputation of the Medical Association waited upon Mr. Ramsay today for the purpose of submitting their views regarding the management of the lunatic asylum, with the object of supporting a memorial previously submitted on the subject. They proposed that the appointment of officials should be made now political, that the institution should be extended so as to afford patients sufficient room, and that the management should be placed under a Board consisting of legal, lay, and medical men. Mr. Ramsay promised an investigation of the matter, and to give a reply at an early date.

A general meeting of the National Bank was held to-day, at which a dividend of 12| per cent, was declared. Conway, the policeman who took strychnine yesterday, owing to domestic infelicity, died this morning frpm the effects of the poison. The creditors in the case of the Suburban Bank "were paid their first dividend to-day of ss. It is expected that the next dividend will be made shortly of Is 6d. The fresh proceedings instituted against Joseph Aaron were commenced to-day in the Insolvency Court. They were brought by a number of insurance companies, and having reference to certain transactions in connection with the insurance of public buildings. Kent, well-known in football circles, sailed to-day in the Sorata for London, for the purpose of arranging several matches between intercolonial and English players. Ten of tlie best Yiqtorian players have signified their willingness, and are going to Sydney and Adelaide.

QUEENSLAND.

A new diggings i§ reported near MountTaxcombe. Tin has been discovered on the Tale River. The prospectors say men can sluice three to four tons weekly of ore, averaging 75 per cent, of tin. Two men, who barbarously injured a black gin by exploding powder under her, have been committed for trialHealey, the schoolmaster, charged with arson, has been acquitted. The proposed jetty scheme at Port Douglas has been abandoned, Thg estimated cost wag LSQ,OQO.

The Minister of Works has promised to use a diamond drill on the Hodgkinson Goldfield.

ADELAIDE. At the annual meeting of the Commercial Bank, a favorable report and balancesheet were presented, and §howed a profit of 15 per cent. At the annual meeting of the Presbytery the Rev. W. Patton presided. The want of greater unity among thp churches (Presbyterian) was deplored. The necessity for enforcing activity into evangelists work was urged.

Skating rinks are being opene4 for the winter season,